Shares of the company opened 8.5% higher as it said it expects revenue to have increased by 39% to £236 million (€271.19 million) in the year ended December 31.

"We have seen very strong momentum across the business during 2018," said chief executive Tim Warrillow.

"The UK delivered an exceptional performance while Europe has seen positive performance resulting in growth accelerating in the second half. We are particularly encouraged by the progress to date in the USA and the strong platform for further growth this provides."

Gin Sales

Fever-Tree has rapidly grown over the last few years as sales of high-end gin surged in Britain, while also pushing ahead with its expansion in the United States.

More than 66 million bottles of gin were sold in the country last year, a rise of 41% from a year earlier, according to the latest figures from the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Fever-Tree, named after the colloquial term for the cinchona tree whose bark produces tonic water ingredient quinine, said UK revenue jumped nearly 52% in 2018.

The company also said it expects the outcome for the full year will be comfortably ahead of its expectations.

"We continue to view Fever-Tree Drinks as one of the most attractive growth stories in European beverages," Jefferies analyst said in a note.

Shares of the company have jumped more than 15-fold since their debut on London's junior market in November 2014.

"The progress we have seen during the last 12 months means we enter 2019 very well positioned and remain optimistic about the long-term global opportunity ahead," Warrillow added.

News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.